Manufacture of yarns or threads, and apparatus therefor



Dec. 9, 1930. w. A. DICKIE ET AL 1,784,581

MANUFACTURE OF YARNS OR THREADS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 22 1927 3 Sheets-Shet 1 )mzw' 444M 4 MM aebmwui. {Ll/52M,

Dec. 9, 1930. w. A. DICKIE ET AL 1,784,581

MANUFACTURE OF YARNS OR THREADS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 22, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flt-3-2;

5 ll 4 Ill lllllll=lllllll "Ill mm 62mm M2 Dec. 9, 1930.

A. DICKIE ET AL MANUFACTURE OF YARNS 0R THREADS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 22, 1927 3 Shegts-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM ALEXANDER DICKIE, THOMAS HEWITT PLATTS, AND LEONARD LATHAM, OF SPONDON, NEAR DERBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS TO CELANESE CORPORATION OF AMERICA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MANUFACTURE OF YARNS OR THREADS, ANIJ APPARATUS THEREFOR Application filed October 22, 1927, Serial No. 228,047, and in Great Britain September 28, 1927.

This invention relates to a new or improved method and apparatus for the twisting of yarns and threads of fibres or filaments of any kind, and especially yarns or 5 threads of cellulose acetate or other artificial silk filaments or fibres. The invention is particularly applicable for the production of yarns or threads of high twist, especially those known as crepe threads such as are used in weaving looms in the manufacture of natural or artificial silk crepe fabrics, such as crpe de chine, crepe marocain, georgette, etc.

, The object of the invention is to provide 5 a simple process and apparatus for twisting yarns and threads by drawing the same from rotating bobbins or other yarn packages.

Process oftwisting threads or yarns ac ac cording to theinvention comprising winding them from a rotating yarn package at a linear speed lower than the peripheral speed of the yarn package, causing the yarn to follow a path lying in a surface composed firstly, of a balloon-shaped surface extending from the yarn package to a circle above the package and concentric with the axis of the package, secondly, a surface extending between the said circle and a second circle of larger diameter concentric with the axis of the package, and thirdly, a surface ex tending between the second circle and the point above and-substantially in'alignment with the axis of the yarn package, whereby the constraint'imposed on the yarn to cause it to pass from the first part of its path to the second part, and from the second part to the third part prevents the twist impart-ed to the yarn from running back to the yarn 40 package.

The part of the path of the yarn extending between the two concentric circles may be in a plane at right angles to the axis of the yarn package. The first-mentioned circle may be defined by a floating ring or other equivalent floating device (as, for instance, a small spiral or disc flyer) adapted to cause the yarn or thread after passing through the same to bear against a disc, flange, or annular shoulder carried by the spindle of the yarn package, and to allow the yarn or thread to balloon about the axis of the sp ndle. In cases where high or very high spindle speeds are employed (for instance in the production of highly twisted or crepe threads or yarns) such devices should of course be sufliciently strong and balanced mechanically to withstand the high speeds of rotation.

The package from which the thread or yarn is drawn and twisted may be composed of any thread or yarn, whether twisted or nontwisted, as for instance a twisted or nontwisted thread or yarn of filaments or fibres of cellulose acetate artificial, silk or other artificial or natural filaments or fibres, or two or more ends of parallel or doubled yarns or threads of any kind, whether of similar or dissimilar material.

The apparatus according to the invention comprises a rotatable spindle adapted to carry and extend beyond the bobbin or other yarn package, and formed or fitted with or carrying in driving connection a disc, flange or annular shoulder at a point above the yarn package; a ring, disc flyer or equivalent device being arranged loose about the spindle at a point intermediate between the yarn package and the disc, flange or annular shoulder.

The ring, disc-flyer, or equivalent device and the disc, flange, or annular shoulder present bearing surfaces which sharply divert the yarn on its passage from the yarn package to the winding device. as

\Ve preferably also fit or provide the spindle with a second disc, flange or annular shoulder at a point below that first referred to. in which case the floating ring, disc flyer or equivalent device is disposed intermediate between the two discs, flanges or annular shoulders. Thesecond disc, flan e or shoulder forms a convenient support or the ring or other floating device when the apparatus is not in operation, and may in some cases serve as an additional point of contact for the yarn or thread when the apparatus is in operation.

Conveniently the discs, flanges or annular shoulders and the floating ring, disc flyer,

spiral or equivalent device, may be provided in the form of a separate attachment adapted to "be fitted on the spindle, the parts presenting the discs, flanges or annular shoulders being preferably separable from each other.

According to one convenient form of con- \struction the spindle is fitted with a member members are a tight fit on the spindle so as to rotate therewith. The floating ring, disc flyer or equivalent device is arranged so as to float between the shoulders of the two members when the apparatus is in operation.

In performing the invention, with a view to ensuring constant linear speed in the drawing off of the thread or yarn from the rotating package, and hence constant or even twist, we preferably employ as the winding device a bobbin, tube or the like frictionally driven by means of a driven roller bearing against the thread layer on the bobbin, tube or the like.

It is preferred to traverse the twisted thread or yarn on to the bobbin, tube or other winding device, but the winding device may be traversed if so desired. Convenientl the thread may be traversed on to the b0 bin, tube or other winding device by means of a traversing thread guide or the like situated between the bobbin, tube or other windin device and the aforesaid point or guide a ove the spindle to which the thread asses after leaving the floating ring or the l1ke and the aforesaid disc or flange.

In some cases the aforesaid oint or ide above the'spindle may itself be a gui e or equivalent part or device co-operating with the bobbin. tube or other winding device to guide the thread on to the same without the interposition of intermediate guiding means between said point or guide and the winding device, and in such case said guide or equivalent part of the device may be fixed in relation to a traversing winding device or may be traversed in relation to a non-traversing winding device.

The method according to the invention permits of obtaining ahigh degree of uniformity of twist, even when high twist (such for example as 40 to turns per inch) is being imparted to the thread or yarn; Further as the thread or yarn is lightly trapped between the floating ring or the like and the upper flange, disc or shoulder, or bears tightly against the said ring or the like and flange, disc or shoulder, the twist is largely or entirely prevented from running back into the bobbin or other yarn package carrier, thus avoiding breakage, strain or damage to the yarn or thread.

The accompanying drawings serve to illustrate some forms of execution of the invention, it being understood that they are given only by way of illustration and are in no way limitative.

The forms illustrated are of especial use in the manufacture of highly twisted or crepe threads or yarns.

Figure 1 is an elevation in part mid vertical section of one form of apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a similar View in a plane at right angles to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on a larger scale of the floating ring and the members 5 and 8 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail View in mid vertical section of part of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, but with a modified form of the member 5 which facilitates threading up, and a slightly modified form of the member 8.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on line 55 Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail View in mid vertical section of part of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, but showing the employment of a floating disc flyer instead of the ring.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section on line 77 Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail view in elevation of part of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, but showing the employment of a small floating spiral in place of the l eferring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the bobbin 1, shown partly broken away, of the yarn to be twisted is drivingly supported by the spindle 2, the bobbin 1 and the spindle 2 being driven by means of the belt 3 passing over the whorl 4. The tubular member 5 is fitted tightly to the spindle 2, its tapered lower end engaging as a tight fit with the bore 6 of the bobbin 1, and is formed with an annular flange orshoulder 7. The tubular member 8 is fitted tightly to the spindle 2 above the member 5 and is formed with an annular flange or shoulder 9 and a lower tubular extension 10, the member 8 being so fitted that the bottom of its extension 10 contacts with the top of the member 5. The ring 11 of steel wire or other metal or material is arranged so that it can float between the annular flanges or shoulders 7 and 9.

Assuming the apparatus to be twisting, the thread 12 passes from the rotating bobbin 1 to the ring 11, ballooning in so doing, passes through the ring 11 and bears against the annular flange or shoulder 9 of the member 8 and passes, whilst rotating about the axis of,the spindle, to the fixed guide eye 13 placed centrally or substantially centrally over the spindle 2. From the guide eye 13 the thread passes through a traversing guide 14 carried by a traversing rod. as shown, which traverses the thread on to the bobbin 15, which is driven frictionally by means'of a driven roller 16 hearing against the surface of thread wound on the bobbin 15. The means dcscribed for driving the bobbin ensure a constant speed of drawing off the yarn and hence even twisting of the threads, yarns or filaments.

In some cases, depending upon the count of yarn, weight of the ring 11, speed of rota tion of the bobbin 1, distance between the shoulders 7 and 9, and possibly other factors, the thread or yarn may bear against the annular flange or shoulder 7 before passing under the ring 11.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, these figures.

' of the chamferings 17 and through the ring.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, these figures show part of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, but provided with a small floating disc fiyer instead of the floating ring. Similar numerals in Figures 6 and 7 indicate corresponding parts in Figures 1 and 2. In these figures, the disc flyer 18 is loose on the tubular extension 10 of the member 8. In operation the thread passes through the hole or eye 19 of the disc flyer 18 before'bearing against the annular shoulder 9 of the member 8, and the disc flyer floats between the annular shoulders 7 and 9.

Figure 8 shows part of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, but provided with a small floating spiral in place of the floating ring.

' Similar numerals in Figure 8 indicate corresponding parts in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 8 the small steel wire spiral 20 is placed loose around the tubular extension 10 of the member 8 between the annular shoulders 7 and 9. In operation the thread 12 passes through the spiral 20 before bearing against the annular shoulder 9 of the member 8, and the spiral 20 floats between the annular shoulders 7 and 9. The spiral 20 permits easy threading up before starting the apparatus.

The degree of twist imparted to the thread or yarn by the process and apparatus of the invention is'ofcourse governed by the speed of rotation of the yarn package and the rate at which the thread or yarn is drawn ofl' in the forms illustrated the degree of twist is governed by the speed of rotation of the bobbin 1 and the speed of the driven roller 16,

By rotating the yarn package'at high or very high speeds (e. g. 10,000 to 20,000 or more revolutions per minute) high or very high degrees of twist (e. g. to or more turns per inch) can readily be imparted to the thread or yarn. It will be understood that the winding device will be driven at a lower circumferential speed and usually at a very much lower circumferential speed than the yarn package.

Where high or very high speeds of rotation of the yarn package are employed (for instance in 'the production of crfipe yarns or threads) care should be taken that the bob-' bins or other yarn'package carriers, spindles or other parts of the apparatus revolving at the high or very high speeds, should be mechanically balanced to a high degree of accuracy. 1

What we claim and desire to' secure by Letters Patent is 1. Process of twisting yarn by winding the yarn from a rotating yarn package at a linear speed lower than the peripheral speed of the yarn package, said process comprising causing the yarn to follow a pathlying in a surface composed firstly of a balloon-shaped surface extending from the yarn package to a circle above the package and concentric with the axis of the package, and secondly, a surface extending between the said circle and a second circle of larger diameter concentric with the axis of the package, and thirdly, a surface extending between the second circle and a point above and substantially in alignment-- with the axis of the yarn package, the yarn being sharply diverted on the first part of its path to the second part and from the sec- 0nd part to the third part, whereby the con straint imposed on the yarn to cause it to pass from the first part of its path to the second part, and from the second part to the third part prevents the twist imparted to the yarn from running back to the yarn package.

2. Process of twisting yarn according to claim 1 wherein the part of the path of the yarn extending between the two concentric circles is in a plane at substantially right angles to the axis of the yarn package.

3. Apparatus for twisting yarn, comprising a spindle forming a support for a yarn g package, means for rotating the spindle, a winding device, means for rotating the winding device at. a lower peripheral speed than the yarn package,'a light floating member surrounding the said spindle above the yarn package, an annular shoulder carried by the spindle above the said floating member, the floating member and the annular shoulder presenting bearing surfaces that sharply dithe said spindle above the yarn package, an

annular shoulder carried by the spindle above the said floating ring, the floating ring and y'- the annular shoulder presenting bearing surfaces that sharply divert the yarn on its passage from the yarn package to the winding device, and a yarn guide above and substantially in alignment with the yarn package spindle.

5. Apparatusfor twisting yarn according to claim 3 comprising a second annular shoulder carried by the spindle below the first annular shoulder, the floating member being disposed between the annular shoulders.

6. Apparatus for twisting yarn according to claim 3 comprising means to rotate the winding device at a uniform peripheral speed lower than the peripheral speed of the yarn package.

7. Apparatus for twisting yarn comprising a spindle forming a support for a yarn package, means for rotating the spindle, a winding device, means for rotating the winding device at a lower peripheral speed than the yarn package, an attachment carried by said spindle above the yarn package and comprising upper and lower annular shoulders, a light floating member surrounding the spindle, and disposed between said shoulders the floating member and the upper annular shoulder presenting hearing surfaces that sharply divert the yarn on its passage from the yarn package to the winding device, and a yarn guide above and substantially. in alignment with the yarn package spindle.

8. Apparatus for twisting yarn comprising a spindle forming a support for a yarn package, means for rotating the spindle, a winding device, means for rotating the windingdevice at a lower peripheral speed than the yarn package, an attachment carried by said spindle above the yarn package and comprising upper and lower annular shoulders, a light floating ring through which the yarn passes disposed between said shoulders and surrounding the spindle, the floating ring and the upper annular shoulder presenting c9 bearing surfaces that sharply divert the yarn on its passage. from the yarn package to the winding device, and a yarn guide above and substantially in alignment with the yarn package spindle. 9. Apparatus for twisting yarn according 

